Fabrication of Cost-Effective Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Sheet-Like CoS 2 Films and Phthaloylchitosan-Based Gel-Polymer Electrolyte

Saradh Prasad, Devaraj Durairaj, Mohamad Saleh AlSalhi, Jayaraman Theerthagiri, Prabhakarn Arunachalam and Govindarajan Durai
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Saradh Prasad: Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, School of Electronics and Electrical Technology (SEET), Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education (KARE), Krishnankoil, Virudhunagar 626126, Tamil Nadu, India
Devaraj Durairaj: Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, School of Electronics and Electrical Technology (SEET), Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education (KARE), Krishnankoil, Virudhunagar 626126, Tamil Nadu, India
Mohamad Saleh AlSalhi: Research Chair on Laser Diagnosis of Cancers, Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Jayaraman Theerthagiri: Centre of Excellence for Energy Research, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai 600119, India
Prabhakarn Arunachalam: Electrochemistry Research Group, Chemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Govindarajan Durai: Centre of Excellence for Energy Research, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai 600119, India

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 2, 1-12

Abstract: Platinum-free counter electrodes (CE) were developed for use in efficient and cost-effective energy conversion devices, such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Electrochemical deposition of CoS 2 on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) formed a hierarchical sheet-like structured CoS 2 thin film. This film was engaged as a cost-effective platinum-free and high-efficiency CE for DSSCs. High stability was achieved using a phthaloychitosan-based gel-polymer electrolyte as the redox electrolyte. The electrocatalytic performance of the sheet-like CoS 2 film was analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The film displayed improved electrocatalytic behavior that can be credited to a low charge-transfer resistance at the CE/electrolyte boundary and improved exchange between triiodide and iodide ions. The fabricated DSSCs with a phthaloychitosan-based gel-polymer electrolyte and sheet-like CoS 2 CE had a power conversion efficiency (PCE, ? ) of 7.29% with a fill factor (FF) of 0.64, J sc of 17.51 mA/cm 2 , and a V oc of 0.65 V, which was analogous to that of Pt CE ( ? = 7.82%). The high PCE of the sheet-like CoS 2 CE arises from the enhanced FF and J sc , which can be attributed to the abundant active electrocatalytic sites and enhanced interfacial charge-transfer by the well-organized surface structure.

Keywords: CoS 2 film; electrocatalytic activity; counter electrode; dye-sensitized solar cells; gel-polymer electrolyte (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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